Opening switch for vehicle doors or trunks

ABSTRACT

An opening switch ( 1 ) for vehicle doors or rear hatches comprises an actuator device ( 5 ) for activating a microswitch ( 6 ) which can be moved between two positions: a first open position in which the actuator device is kept away from the microswitch ( 6 ), and a second closing position in which the actuator device is in contact with the microswitch ( 6 ). The actuator device for activating the microswitch ( 6 ) comprises a rocking actuator ( 5 ) which incorporates within itself at least one pair of elastic tongues ( 7 ) whose reaction brings about return of the rocking actuator ( 5 ).

This invention relates to an opening switch for vehicle doors or rearhatches of the type which the user operates manually to cause the latchof the door to open after the latch has been released through thecorresponding lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Switches which are fitted to the rear hatches and side doors of vehicleswhich comprise a body enclosed beneath by a flexible membrane,especially an elastomer material, are known. When the user presses theflexible membrane with his fingers it causes the latch of the lock toopen.

A switch of this type comprises means for activating a microswitch whichinclude a bar activating a microswitch; this bar can be moved betweentwo positions, a first open position in which it is kept separate fromthe said microswitch, and a second closed position in which it is incontact with the said microswitch when the user presses on the flexiblemembrane, and it returns to its initial resting position when thepressure ceases, as a result of elastic members.

For the function of causing the activating bar to return, known switcheshave conventional metal helical springs.

It has been found in practice that these switches have somedisadvantages.

On the one hand the inclusion of conventional springs to return theactivating bar gives rise to a further complication in assembly of theswitch and affects its cost.

On the other hand, as the support and the membrane are separate parts,there is no perfect seal between the two parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the switch for opening the doors or rear hatches of avehicle according to this invention is to overcome the disadvantagesmanifested by the devices known in the art, offering a number ofadvantages which will be described below.

The opening switch for vehicle doors or rear hatches to which thisinvention relates is characterized in that the means for activating themicroswitch comprise a rocking actuator which incorporates within itselfat least one pair of elastic tongues whose reaction brings about thereturn of the said rocking actuator.

In this way the said rocking actuator makes it possible to activate themicroswitch, and it also performs the function of returning it to itsresting position as a result of the said elastic tongues. Thus a singlepiece is used and replaces the bar activating the microswitch and theelastic return means of the switches known in the art.

As a consequence a switch is provided which comprises a smaller numberof parts, simplifying the process of its manufacture and increasing itsreliability.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rockingactuator and the microswitch are housed within a body which is enclosedby a flexible membrane against which a user presses to cause the rockingactuator to rock from the said first position to the said secondposition.

This body provides the switch with good mechanical strength.

Advantageously the rocking actuator has sufficient thickness to permitit to rotate when it is activated by the user through the flexiblemembrane.

According to one embodiment the elastic tongues are located andincorporated in an area close to one of the longitudinal sides of therocking actuator.

According to another embodiment the elastic tongues are located andincorporated in the central zone along an axis parallel to one of thelongitudinal sides of the rocking actuator.

Advantageously the rocking actuator comprises a protuberance which isintended to come into contact with the microswitch.

Preferably the rocking actuator is made of polyoxymethylene, or anyelastic plastics such as poly butyl terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (PA),polypropylene (PP), etc.

Advantageously the flexible membrane is injection moulded over the body.A perfect seal is obtained between the two parts in this way.

In one embodiment the flexible membrane comprises within its innersurface a plurality of spaces forming a reticulate structure. Thesespaces endow the said membrane with good bending ability, as well asoffering a substantially flat external surface.

According to one embodiment, the switch incorporates a cover connectedto the body.

Advantageously the cover comprises retaining members for the two elastictongues of the rocking actuator. It may also be secured through pinsbetween the two parts.

In this way, when the user presses the flexible membrane causing thesaid rocking actuator to rock, the tongues abut against the saidretaining members causing them to bend.

According to one embodiment, the retaining members are inclinedpartitions intended to impart an initial tension on the elastic tonguesof the rocking actuator.

Advantageously, the switch according to the invention comprises aconnecting member which is injection moulded onto the microswitch.

In this way, as the connecting member is injection moulded onto themicroswitch it provides an adequately leaktight seal.

Preferably, the assembly comprising the connector member and themicroswitch incorporates hooks and a tang for connection with the cover.

Preferably the cover incorporates tangs on its outer surface forconnection to matching openings made in the body, or coinciding holesfor the fitting of pins.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover and the rockingactuator comprise the same part. In this way the number of pieces in theswitch is reduced even more.

Additionally, the body incorporates tangs on its outer surface forfitting onto the frame of the vehicle's door or rear hatch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To aid the description given above, drawings are appended in whichpractical embodiments of the switch for opening vehicle doors or rearhatches according to the invention are illustrated diagrammatically andpurely by way of non-restrictive example, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of the switch according to the inventionin the resting position,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the switch according to the invention in theresting position,

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along the line III—III in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a cross-section along the line IV—IV In FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a cross-section along the line V—V in FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a cross-section along the line VI—VI in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 7 is a view in elevation of the cover and rocking actuatorcomprising a single piece in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the opening switch 1 for vehicledoors or rear hatches.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, opening switch 1 comprises a body 2enclosed beneath by a flexible membrane 3, and enclosed above by a cover4.

Within body 2 there is a rocking actuator 5 to activate a microswitch 6.Said rocking actuator 5 is manufactured from any kind of plasticsmaterial such as PBT, PP, PA or preferably polyoxymethylene.

Rocking actuator 5 is joined by a thin film or narrow piece of material,in the form of a hinge, to an outer frame, the said outer frame beingconnected between cover 4 and body 2, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6.

Rocking actuator 5 incorporates within itself a pair of elastic tongues7 which act as elastic media for return of the said rocking actuator 5,as may be seen in FIG. 6.

As a result of the flexibility of elastic tongues 7 rocking actuator 5can rock between two positions, a first open position in which it iskept away from microswitch 6 and a second closed position in which it isin contact with said microswitch 6.

In FIG. 3 it can be seen that rocking actuator 5 also comprises aprotuberance 9 to facilitate contact with microswitch 6.

As may be seen in FIGS. 4 to 6, rocking actuator 5, which includes saidelastic tongues 7 In the form of springs and said protuberance 9, isconnected between cover 4 and body 2 through a thin film or narrow pieceof material in the form of a hinge.

Furthermore, said elastic tongues 7 are supported on retentionpartitions 8 belonging to cover 4 itself. Said retention partitions 8impart an Initial tension upon elastic tongues 7.

In this way, when the user presses on flexible membrane 3 to activateswitch 1, rocking actuator 5 rocks upwards making it possible toactivate microswitch 6. When the user's pressure on membrane 3 ceases,rocking actuator 5 returns to its initial position as a result oftongues 7.

Furthermore, flexible membrane 3 is injection moulded over body 2ensuring a perfect seal. In addition to this, said flexible membrane 3comprises a plurality of spaces forming a reticulate structure on itsinner surface, as may be seen in the cross-sections in FIGS. 4 to 6,which provides it with good bending ability, prevents shrinkage cavitiesand achieves a reduction in weight.

As shown in FIG. 3, connector 10 of the circuit is injection mouldedover microswitch 6 leaving the electrical connection tabs located withinsaid connector 10, thus ensuring that it is satisfactorily leaktight.

The assembly formed by connector 10 and microswitch 6 comprises hooks 10a and a tang 10 b for connection with cover 4. The said assembly isfitted onto cover 4 by inserting hooks 10 a in the correspondinghousings in cover 4 and then sliding the said assembly until hooks 10 aand tang 10 b are anchored against a tooth 4 a in cover 4.

In order to dismantle the said connector/microswitch assembly it issufficient to raise tang 10 b and slide the assembly in a directionopposite to that in which hooks 4 a engage.

Said cover 4 is connected to body 2 by tangs 11 which project outwardsand can be anchored in corresponding openings 12 made in said body 2, asmay be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5.

In addition to this, body 2 comprises tangs 13 on its outer surface forconnection with the surface of panel 14 of the vehicle door or rearhatch, as shown In FIGS. 1 and 6.

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of opening switch 1. In this caserocking actuator 5 and cover 4 comprise a single piece. Rocking actuator5 is joined to cover 4 through a pivot line which allows it to rotateinto its position within said cover 4.

1. An opening switch (1) for vehicle doors or rear hatches, comprisingan actuator device (5) for activating a microswitch (6) which can bemoved between two positions: a first open position in which the actuatordevice being kept away from the microswitch (6) and a second closingposition in which the actuator device being in contact with themicroswitch (6); the actuator device activating the microswitch (6)comprises a rocking actuator (5) including at least one pair of elastictongues (7) whose reaction brings about return of the rocking actuator(5).
 2. The switch (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rockingactuator (5) and the microswitch (6) are housed within a body (2) whichis enclosed by a flexible membrane (3) on which a user presses in orderto cause the rocking actuator (5) to rock from the said first positionto the said second position.
 3. The switch (1) according to claim 2,wherein the rocking actuator (5) has sufficient thickness to permit therocking actuator (5) to rotate when the rocking actuator (5) isactivated by the user through the flexible membrane (3).
 4. The switch(1) according to claim 3, wherein the elastic tongues (7) are located inand incorporated with a zone close to one of two longitudinal sides ofthe rocking actuator (5).
 5. The switch (1) according to claim 3,wherein the elastic tongues (7) are situated in and incorporated with acentral zone along an axis parallel to one of longitudinal sides of therocking actuator (5).
 6. The switch (1) according to claim 2, whereinthe flexible membrane (3) is injection moulded over the body (2).
 7. Theswitch (1) according to claim 6, wherein the flexible membrane (3)comprises a plurality of spaces on an inner surface thereof forming areticulate structure.
 8. The switch (1) according to claim 2, furthercomprising a cover (4) connected to the body (2).
 9. The switch (1)according to claim 8, wherein the cover (4) comprises retaining elements(8) for the two elastic tongues (7) of the rocking actuator (5).
 10. Theswitch (1) according to claim 9, wherein the retention members areinclined partitions (8) intended to impart an initial tension upon theelastic tongues (7) of the rocking actuator (5).
 11. The switch (1)according to claim 8, further comprising a connecting member (10) whichis injection moulded over the microswitch (6).
 12. The switch (1)according to claim 11, wherein the connecting member (10) compriseshooks (10 a) and a tang (10 b) for connection with the cover (4). 13.The switch (1) according to claim 8, wherein the cover (4) comprisestangs (11) on an outer surface thereof for connection with matchingopenings (12) in the body (2).
 14. The switch (1) according to claim 1,wherein the rocking actuator (5) comprises a protuberance (9) designedto come into contact with the microswitch (6).
 15. The switch (1)according to claim 1, wherein the rocking actuator (5) is made ofpolyoxymethylene.
 16. An opening switch (1) for vehicle doors or rearhatches, comprising an actuator device (5) for activating a microswitch(6) which can be moved between two positions: a first open position inwhich the actuator device being kept away from the microswitch (6) and asecond closing position in which the actuator device being in contactwith the microswitch (6); the actuator device activating the microswitch(6) comprises a rocking actuator (5) including at least one pair ofelastic tongues (7) whose reaction brings about return of the rockingactuator (5); and a cover (4) connected to the body (2); wherein therocking actuator (5) and the microswitch (6) are housed within a body(2) which is enclosed by a flexible membrane (3) on which a user pressesin order to cause the rocking actuator (5) to rock from the firstposition to the second position; and wherein the cover (4) and therocking actuator (5) comprise a single piece.
 17. An opening switch (1)for vehicle doors or rear hatches comprising an actuator device (5) foractivating a microswitch (6) which can be moved between two positions: afirst open position in which the actuator device being kept away fromthe microswitch (6) and a second closing position in which the actuatordevice being in contact with the microswitch (6); the actuator deviceactivating the microswitch (6) comprises a rocking actuator (5)including at least one pair of elastic tongues (7) whose reaction bringsabout return of the rocking actuator (5); wherein the rocking actuator(5) and the microswitch (6) are housed within a body (2) which isenclosed by a flexible membrane (3) on which a user presses in order tocause the rocking actuator (5) to rock from the first position to thesecond position; and wherein the body (2) incorporates tangs (13) on anouter surface thereof for mounting on the frame (14) of the vehicle dooror rear hatch.